Share Steve M Mowrey's Page

Mail a Check

Steve Needs a Double-Lung Transplant!

Steve Mowrey is only 53 years-old and fighting for his life. Three years ago, he was diagnosed with a progressive form of pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that causes scarring in the lungs and usually develops without an identifiable cause. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing and many patients often need a lung transplant over time. Steve’s condition has progressed over the years and he now uses around-the-clock oxygen to breathe and his pulmonologist has indicated that he desperately needs a lifesaving lung transplant to survive. Steve has found his quality of life is completely taken hostage by the progressive and life-threatening nature of his lung condition. Being a non-smoker and diagnosed completely off guard, Steve is frustrated but anxiously looking forward to his new lungs so he can once again enjoy his life!

Steve has an incredible sense of determination and optimism, and despite needing around-the-clock supplemental oxygen and facing severe fatigue, he continues to work at his job while waiting for a lung transplant. After undergoing extensive medical testing and evaluation to be accepted as a transplant candidate at Barnes Jewish Hospital, Steve and his girlfriend are hopeful for his future. He wants nothing less than to regain the adventurous, fun-loving life he has known; attending NASCAR races, Royals games, enjoying country music concerts, road trips on his Harley Davidson, and spending time with his eleven-year-old son.

A lung transplant is lifesaving, but often comes with a hefty price tag creating a very heavy financial burden. Even with health insurance, Steve faces very high out-of-pocket expenses that include co-pays and deductibles, lab fees, travel and lodging, and costly relocation expenses for at least three months to be closer to Barnes Hospital. Steve will also face high insurance deductibles, caregiver fees, and costly post-transplant medications to halt rejection that are needed for the rest of his life.

To help with the financial burden of Steve’s uninsured expenses, a fundraising campaign in his honor has been established with Help Hope Live, a trusted non-profit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to patients and their families for more than 30 years. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law, are held by Help Hope Live in the Midwest/West Lung Transplant Fund, and are administered by Help Hope Live for transplant-related expenses only. Steve has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a donation to this fundraising campaign, please click on the yellow DONATE NOW button. For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

If we all work together we can make Steve’s prospects for the future much brighter. Please know that your contribution counts. Thank you in advance for your prayers, support and generosity.

Updates (23)

September 14, 2016

12 WEEKS after surgery…Steve was released to GO HOME! :)♡♡—Saturday, September 3rd…we finally got to leave St. Louis and go back home to KC! Steve’s recovery has gone so well since his transplant surgery….praise God, and the exceptional staff at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. He finished his rehab on Thursday, and had his 3rd bronchoscopy on Friday….he will have monthly follow up visits with his pulmonologist at KU Med Center–to include a chest x-ray, pulmonary function breathing test, and lab work–to monitor the anti-rejection drugs….all results to be forwarded to the Barnes pulmonologists group. But he will go back to Barnes for his 6 and 12-month bronchoscopy, doctor visit/x-ray/labwork/breathing test…..and then annually thereafter.
He will be using a home spirometer for daily testing of his air volume, a blood pressure unit to monitor his BP, and must continue his daily 30 minute walks.
The doctor has also cleared him to return to his job on September 19th—he’s so ready to get back living a normal life again. We are so grateful and thankful that he has been given the gift of a second chance in life.
Steve and I also want to again thank everyone for the prayers, well wishes and donations….it has meant so much to have that kind of support !! ♡♡ 🙂

July 18, 2016

DAY 38 after surgery –Sunday….Well it has now been just over 5 weeks since Steve had his life-saving transplant surgery….he is doing and feeling great—-continuing his pulmonary rehab Monday thru Friday, walking a little faster and farther on the treadmill each day…and working to strengthen his arms and legs. He had his first post-discharge bronchoscopy, with positive results—doc said all looks normal…..and he has another doctor appointment this week, hoping to hear that he can start driving –which would be welcome news to me. 😉 We’re kind of in ‘countdown’ mode now, to when he will finish rehabbing and be released so we can head back home to KC! Other than the time we spend during the week at the hospital and trips to get groceries, we don’t do too much. We were invited over to Steve’s aunt and uncle’s for dinner on the 4th–that was really nice and a fun time.
He did get another visit from a buddy last Saturday, and we got out for awhile…visited Gateway HD for a souvenir tshirt, and got treated to lunch–thanks Rickey! Also enjoyed a visit on Friday from his sister, Cathy, stopping on her way thru town— and a visit yesterday from his boss, Marty, on his way thru town as well! It’s always nice to have visitors from home. 🙂
We have made some friends here, with other lung transplant recipients and spouses….it’s nice to compare notes and experiences with others in the same life situation.
We so look forward to returning to our life–with Steve’s new and improved version of himself…having his health back means SO much! ♡♡

July 1, 2016

DAY 21 after surgery –Thursday p.m….Three weeks ago today!…Steve continues his daily rehab, now walking a little faster 30 minutes on the treadmill. Had his first Pulmonary Function Test, which was up to 64%–a great improvement over his pre-transplant reading!..and will continue to improve as he heals and gains strength. Also saw the doctor this week– doc said looking good, and removed his sutures from the drainage tube incisions…which meant he got to take his first real shower since surgery!–another step forward.
The back pain is subsiding a bit, and he’s able to lift his arms a little farther now, which allowed us to get him into a tshirt with sleeves. 🙂
We also enjoyed a short walk at a nearby park yesterday….the first of more to come!

June 27, 2016

DAY 14 after surgery–Thursday p.m….Two weeks ago today!—Steve got the call and had his double-lung transplant surgery!♡ …and is now 3 days into his outpatient recovery and rehab—continuing to walk 30 minutes on the treadmill daily, works his leg muscles with weights, and is beginning to do arm exercises to regain strength in the muscles in his back—his main complaints have been backache, tiredness, and soreness in the area under his arms (no doubt, considering his incision goes from armpit to armpit–which to look at makes me a little queasy right now :`{ ). He’s loving the freedom he’s now again able to enjoy—walking without getting short of breath, and not being dependent on supplemental oxygen 24/7. 🙂 We’ve been to Target twice together to get needed supplies and groceries….and he hasn’t been able to do that at all since last December—small victories moving him closer to the normal life he once knew. ♡♡ =)

June 22, 2016

DAY 11 after surgery–Monday p.m….Today was discharge day!! Hooray! .. It was a very busy morning, with the various medical staff in and out of his room preparing him and us for his new follow-up/recovery routine as a transplant outpatient.♡ We took more pictures that I have added.. and said our good-byes/ thank-yous to the nurses we got to know and love that took such great care of him! We have settled in to our temporary home in St. Louis. …a little furnished one-bedroom duplex just 3 miles from the hospital, which will be really convenient as we make daily weekday trips to Barnes for his pulmonary rehab and various follow-up appointments. We sat down and organized his pills for the week—10 different prescriptions he left with, most of which he will be taking for the rest of his life! But SO worth it….he’s a new man–and very grateful, living with the gift of healthy lungs and looking forward to getting back to a normal, active life! ♡♡

June 22, 2016

DAY 9 + 10 after surgery–Saturday + Sunday….After finally getting the central line port pulled from his neck(ouch!) Steve feels even better.. and is looking forward to sleeping on his side again. He continues to take 1,000 foot walks in his purple grippy footies and hospital gown like he’s ready to take on the world with his new lease on life–thanks to his wonderful new lungs! 🙂
We enjoyed having more visitors as well…..Saturday morning he had an entertaining visit from his buddy, Rickey, who rode out from KC on his Harley…..and later in the day we got to catch up with friends Doug (one of his best friends from work) and Melissa who drove in to see him! They stayed a few hours Saturday. .and came back Sunday morning, just in time to take his 1,000 foot walk with him! …which was great because Sunday was a busy travel day for me — I was away from the hospital all day, so Steve was ‘alone’ all day…I think he did okay. 🙂 had to drive back to Independence to load up everything we need to live here in St. Louis for 3 months…that was a long day chore—I left SL at 7 a.m., got back in town at 10:30 p.m. to unload where we will be living…and I was back at the hospital a little after midnight. Needless to say, I was and still am exhausted….but it had to be done—he may be discharged today! ♡♡

June 22, 2016

DAY 8 after surgery–Friday p.m….This morning, one of the respiratory therapists from Pulmonary Rehab brought a treadmill to Steve’s room—he walked 30 minutes with no supplemental oxygen at .5 mph….she was impressed! Later in the day, he also walked 1,000 feet with a physical therapist–no oxygen or walker…what a rock star! 🙂 We also enjoyed a visit from Steve’s dad….he hung out with us and also listened in during our pre-discharge education class to explain Steve’s prescription drug regimen, as well as what to expect after he leaves the hospital when weekdays for the next 11 weeks or so will be busy with pulmonary rehab daily, lab work, clinic appointments and xrays. …and the do’s and don’ts to remember in his new life as a transplant recipient. So very much to process and absorb!
The transplant doctor said discharge day will be either Monday or Tuesday….we look forward to that and the next chapter in his journey!
To all our friends and family that have been following Steve’s post-transplant recovery these past 8 days—we want to say thanks so much for your genuine interest, concern and prayers for him and his progress! If you are so inclined, please sign Steve’s guest book here on his webpage…your comments and words of encouragement mean so much to him! ♡♡

June 22, 2016

DAY 7 after surgery–Thursday p.m….Well one week ago today was a day we will remember forever—Steve had his transplant surgery and was given the gift of a second chance at life! And what a miraculous 7 day process this has been…he has progressed wonderfully. Because his oxygen levels have been so steadily good, they took him off of supplemental oxygen completely this morning–a very proud moment! Today also brought the removal of his 2 remaining drainage tubes from his chest, which he was so thrilled to be rid of—the removal process consisted of Steve being told to take a deep breath and hold, while the nurse practitioner gave the tube a swift yank. (Of course I could not watch) …and he said fortunately the first one she pulled from the right side didn’t hurt much, but then the second one she pulled on the left side ‘hurt like hell’ :/…but it’s a step in the right direction! He also got his epidural taken out (didn’t hurt at all he says).. so he’s to really pay more close attention to his pain now so they can medicate accordingly.
He also progressed on his daily walk (still with a walker)….1,000 feet today!!..and with minimal oxygen supplementation. Tomorrow he will walk with no oxygen supplementation…and probably add the treadmill on Monday. Wow…it’s so exciting to see him feeling better each and every day…I’m so happy and so proud of him and how focused and enthusiastic he is about his recovery! He is most definitely ‘a new man’! :)♡♡

June 22, 2016

DAY 6 after surgery –Wednesday p.m….Another low key day at the hospital …Steve continues improving—oxygen levels, blood pressure and heart rate…are all good—he walked 600 feet with the physical therapist this morning, and at that rate it won’t be long before he’s walking that 1,000 feet! The doctor said the drainage tubes may be able to come out tomorrow–something he is looking forward to, for sure. His sister, Cathy, drove out to see him today and we had a really nice visit. 🙂 It will be one week ago on Thursday that Steve got his gift of life…what a blessing!
Added a couple more pictures to check out….

June 28, 2016

DAY 5 after surgery –Tuesday p.m….Steve is still progressing nicely…kind of an uneventful day….did his daily walk with the physical therapist (using a walker)–he walked 380 feet and is working his way toward the goal of walking 1,000 feet …where he will then advance to the treadmill. All part of the objectives he must meet before being deemed ready for discharge. He really kind of enjoys his walks, knowing they are a very important part of his progress.
The doctor also said he should be able to have one of the two remaining draining tubes removed tomorrow — not a fun process, but definitely a step forward!
After helping with his sponge bath, and watching the nurse change the dressing on his bandages (see pic)……another night ahead, sleeping in the hospital recliner next to Steve’s bed….he needs me here just as much I want to be here for him. ♡♡ We shall see what tomorrow brings….

June 28, 2016

DAY 4 after surgery –Monday–12:45 p.m….Update to my update! Steve only spent one night in the step-down/observation unit! He was just moved down the hall to a private room….yay! We lost the view , but it is definitely quieter here….and 2 tvs ;). They have him sitting up in the chair for awhile…and he got to eat tomato soup and pudding for lunch…..More pictures 🙂

June 28, 2016

DAY 4 after surgery–Monday morning. ..Steve was moved from the ICU Sunday afternoon.. To the step-down unit which is a large room with about 8 beds separated by curtains. His bed is in a great spot in the corner by the windows with a nice view…I’ve added some pictures! And he finally got to eat some Jell-O and some broth so that made him (and me) happy! Plus I brought his hat in from the car so he can wear it …so he feels more like himself now :). Visiting hour rules are different in this section so I could not stay by his side all night.. Which was probably a blessing in disguise because I was in great need of having a good night’s sleep in an actual bed.
…So that felt pretty good! I will be heading back to the hospital soon.
Steve actually just told me that his doctor came in this morning and said he’s doing so well that he may be moved to a private room later today!
Update coming on that note as soon as we have more details….

June 28, 2016

DAY 3 after surgery –10 a.m. Sunday…Today should be a much better day than yesterday! Steve had a much more restful night…his pain is better managed now with the help of the epidural…the tube through the nose has done its job, so the doctors said it could be removed :)–he’s happy about that!…heart rate and blood pressure now in acceptable ranges, but still being monitored and medicated…he will soon take his second walk with the physical therapist and if all goes well, as they think it should, he will be moved from ICU to the step-down unit for less extensive but still continuous monitoring for a few more days, before he will be ready for a private room. He is progressing nicely and staying strong–quite the trooper…doing his breathing exercises that help him to expand his lungs, and clear the airways by encouraging a good productive cough.
Check out a few new pictures. ..and…
More to come when I know more about the next leg of his journey…:). ♡♡

June 28, 2016

DAY 2 after surgery –8:30 p.m….Well Things didn’t go quite as planned today… during Steve’s assisted walk, which he did very well, his heart rate rose to 206 and his blood pressure dropped… a condition they called Atrial Fibrillation, which they also assured us was very common in transplant patients, caused by the heart getting ‘irritable’ after having to be moved during the transplant surgery. To get the heart back to its more normal rhythm the doctor did a procedure called Electrical Cardioversion, after again sedating Steve….and medicating for the low blood pressure….he also got an epidural to help manage his pain. So from the tube thru his nose this morning, multiple xrays, the walk, to the heart issues…the doctors decided it best that he remain in ICU tonight.
Hopefully he will rest well tonight (and hopefully so will I)…and tomorrow will be a better day. ♡♡
~~again a few more pictures added

June 28, 2016

DAY 2 after surgery–10:30 a.m. Saturday….Today will bring Steve’s first assisted walk down the hall and a move out of ICU to what they call the ‘step down unit’…this is good, it should be quieter yet he will still have two nurses attending to him. One little bump, however, is they’ve determined he still has an air bubble in his tummy that hasn’t made its way out yet after waking from the anesthesia….so…still no food, very little water, and they put a tube thru his nose to his stomach to suction the air out…this process they say takes usually a couple days–which means he still waits to be able to eat. :/ But he will feel better after the process is complete. I’ve added a few more pics.
And to my friends who keep asking about how I’m doing…I so appreciate your concern for me 🙂 …I will say that much to my disappointment, the recliner chair was not comfortable but I managed to get 4-5 interrupted hours of sleep, I think. I did take time to get a shower last night here at the hospital, which felt great. Sometime today I will check in to the short-term stay duplex I’ll call home at least while he is in the hospital.
More soon…..

June 28, 2016

DAY 1…6 p.m….What an amazing day! Steve awoke and first opened his eyes around noon…got his breathing tube removed around 12:30 and was able to start slowly talking to me! He wanted to know all the details about his surgery and how it went…he was as surprised as I was that it only took 3-1/2 hours. He was extremely thirsty but was told he’d have to wait an hour to begin getting ice chips….when the time came I don’t think anything could’ve tasted any better to him! 🙂
Soon he was able to get sips of water…but unfortunately, as starving as he’s also feeling…he heard he’d have to wait until tomorrow for any food.
He complains of being hot…caused by some of the pain meds we are told, but for the most part he’s doing very well! He’s very anxious to move forward…to which I keep reminding him…..baby steps and one day at a time. I do know that the staff here at Barnes is nothing short of exceptional! He is in great hands here. 🙂 I’ve added a few more pictures. …
I have also learned that trying to get a decent night’s sleep in a waiting room is next to impossible. Tonight…I’m sleeping in the recliner in his ICU room! More tomorrow….♡

June 28, 2016

Friday..10 a.m…Day 1 after surgery…Steve is still sleeping in ICU…soon they will do a bronchoscopy to look at his airway and see how the lungs are doing….The first step toward removing the breathing tube so he can take his first breaths with his new lungs! I’m hoping to be there to capture the moment…this is so incredible. I’ve added a few more photos today.
It is with a heavy but very grateful heart that we send thoughts, prayers and thanks to the donor family. ♡♡

June 28, 2016

SUCCESSFUL SURGERY! !
Well that part is over…it went very well! Hallelujah!…and only 3-1/2 hours in surgery! It’s 10 p.m. and I’m beside him now in ICU as he rests…he will be awake tomorrow morning and I’ll share more updates and pictures then. I need to get some rest tonight too.:)

June 28, 2016

Steve’s surgery is underway! …They told us the surgery could take 6-12 hours….it will be a long night. I’ve taken plenty of pictures to document his journey….check the photo album. More updates when I know something! Continued prayers are always appreciated! ♡

June 28, 2016

WONDERFUL NEWS!!!

Steve got ‘the call’ we’ve been praying for at 8 a.m. this morning…his gift of life…matched lungs avaliable for him!! We are driving to St Louis right now…surgery sometime this afternoon! What a relief for him..and us. ..to have him finally have something to get excited about…to be able to breathe again and get back to living life again! He is so calm and ready as he drives us to Barnes-Jewish Hospital…I’m the one with the nervous anxious feeling.
Thanks so much to everyone that has been praying for him…God does answer! Less than two weeks on the waiting list…what a blessing!
I will continue to post updates and pictures on his progress…..Keep him in your thoughts and prayers!♡
~Geri

May 27, 2016

Great news update on Steve!
We were at Barnes-Jewish Hospital this past Monday and Tuesday for Steve’s follow up appointments…He got the good news that the transplant team was ready to list him but we were told it would be 5 to 10 business days while waiting for the insurance company’s final approval. Well Steve got a surprise phone call today from the insurance company telling him he was approved! He will go active on the waiting list tomorrow! According to what his pulmonologist told him the maximum wait for his new lungs should be about 12 weeks….So it’s time to get our bag packed and stay glued to our phones. It’s so hard to know how to be ready for something that has no scheduled date. It’s exciting and scary at the same time, knowing that I have to quit my job to be Steve’s full support person and caregiver for at least three months after his surgery.. but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
We still have more questions than answers at this point in time, and a tough road ahead…but we have faith that the support of our loving and giving friends and family will help to ease the financial burden so that we can concentrate on getting Steve healthy again! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for caring enough to help! Words can’t tell you how much we appreciate it. ♡
~Geri

Photo Galleries (3)

Guestbook

Please verify with ReCaptcha

June 29, 2016

Steve looks great , I've been following Steve's story since I got the call my brothers lungs were donated to a 53 yo man . The day Steve received his transplant my brothers lungs were transplanted into the man . I cannot wait to receive the information about the recipient, I pray it was Steve :-)

Tiffany Perry

June 29, 2016

Steve is looking great! You can already tell a HUGE difference in his color! We're praying hard for him! I hope Steve is the one that got Kyles lungs! Patiently waiting! Keep up the good work Steve!

Traci Quigley

June 29, 2016

So happy to hear about Steve's progress. It's been wonderful getting to know you at Barnes this week. Praying for you both!

Laura Zinter

June 29, 2016

As a transplant recipient and friend of the donor family I wish you a happy healthy future!!! ♡♡

LizBeth

June 29, 2016

PS, I am so happy to hear the good news and will be praying for a speedy recovery! Hope to hear back from you asap!

Lindsey Quigley

June 29, 2016

I have already heard the good news that the breathing tube is out. So happy to hear! Breathe that fresh air baby! Still praying!

Libby Boynton

June 29, 2016

Sending warm thoughts and every hope for a full recovery from your surgery. Onward to a brand new life!

Merry Wilson

June 29, 2016

im praying and thinking of you brother. Hang in there and i plan to see u next weekend.

Rickey Davis

June 8, 2016

Keep fighting buddy, we are thinking of you and hope you get healthy soon.
The Hiatt's

Bob, Liz, Matt, Paula, John, Chris

June 8, 2016

Emily and I are thinking of you all the way from Qatar. Get well, Steve!